Ex-San Pablo City mayor: I’m not in the drug trade

Former San Pablo City Mayor Vicente Amante (Screengrab of the Philippine Professional Directory and Online Appointment -www.philpro.ph/vicente-b-amante)

MANILA — Former San Pablo City Mayor Vicente Amante has denied any involvement in the illegal drug trade, after being named by President Duterte as one of the protectors of the underground business.

“I want to make it clear that I have never been in any way involved, as a protector, pusher, or even as a user, in illegal drugs,” Amante said.

Amante, 68, the patriarch of the Amante political clan in San Pablo City in Laguna province, issued a statement Sunday after his name was included in the President’s list of politicians, judges and law enforcers allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

Amante was first elected mayor in 1992. He was replaced by his son, Loreto, who is serving his second term as mayor.

The Amantes have long been implicated in the illegal drug business, particularly Vicente’s younger brothers, Edwin and Damaso. In July, four members of the family confessed that they were into illegal drugs and surrendered to authorities.

However, there were no reports on the whereabouts of Edwin and Damaso Amante.

In his emailed statement written in Filipino, Vicente said he was saddened that his name was dragged into the investigation of the drug syndicates in the country but said that he would not question the President.

“He (Mr. Duterte) himself had said that he could have possibly gotten the information wrong and that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Vicente said. “I am placing my hopes on the personal validation that he plans to do.”

Despite his inclusion in the list, Vicente said his support for Mr. Duterte’s anti-drug campaign would remain.

“Instead, I take this as a challenge. I assure the President of my full support in his campaign against [illegal] drugs,” he added. SFM